By 
Many non-traditional students (people who return to school after a break) operate from a foundation of fear. They are afraid to go back to school and do not want to take even the first step towards their personal goals. How do I know this? Because I was like that.
These people may say to themselves (as I did), “I’m not smart enough,” “It’s been too long since I’ve been in school,” and “I better not even try.”
They may also say, “I’ll never fit in” or “I’ll be a failure.”
Difficult questions can also arise, such as “What if this doesn’t work?” “What happens if I fail a course?” and “What if I find out that what I drink at school isn’t for me after all?”
Some non-traditional students just give up before they even try. But they don’t have to. If they can find the courage and self-esteem within themselves, they CAN be successful and go back to school.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOURSELF SUCCEED:
Take just one class to get your feet wet. You can brush up on your study skills, build good habits, and experience what it’s like to be a student again. If you must return to school full time, you can always take the minimum number of hours. Just see how it goes.
BUT WHAT IF YOU GET A RATING THAT YOU DON’T LIKE?
If this happens, you can always take the class or take another class later. It’s important not to let the fear of what MAY happen keep you from even trying. You CAN conquer this fear. And who knows? You may do very well in your classes.
WHY IS IT WORTH IT TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL?
It can improve your job prospects, for one thing. That is a very valuable goal. You can get a diploma, certificate or degree that you need and that will also make a difference in the job market. You will also learn a lot about yourself. Plus, you’ll boost your self-esteem by going back to school, proving to yourself and others that you CAN do it.
WHAT IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT THE CLASSES YOU WANT?
Sometimes you can substitute one class for another. If you’re taking college courses, you can even take one course, complete it, and then take another. In fact, many people do this. Some may discover another topic that they like even more than the first. This is fine, because it means that they are going to be more excited about school because they have found something even MORE interesting for them. They just change the classes they take next, if that happens.
People who are completing a vocational program or finishing high school may find that going back to school opens up even more options. A better job may require finishing high school, going to trade school, receiving additional training, or going to a college or university.
Also, people may not like the job they have. They want to work at something that makes them feel fulfilled and it’s not something they do simply because they HAVE to.
All of this relates directly to you, because you may not like the job you have at the moment either. I think working at a job you love isn’t really like a job, it becomes more fun. Therefore, finding a career that is right for you will make a big difference in your life.
A FEW MORE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT…
Trying something new may not be as difficult as you think. Sometimes it just takes courage to get out of the rut and try new things. One thing that can get you out of your rut is having a positive attitude. One way to do this is to tell yourself positive things, like “I CAN do hard things” and “I know I’m a smart person.”
You can also make that first appointment with your college financial aid office (for college courses) or your local employment office (for high school GED courses or training programs). You can look for other programs in your city or town or at the library. You can also talk to other non-traditional students who have returned to school. Who knows? There may be a grant or special back-to-school program for you that you didn’t even know existed. You can’t find out if you never try.
HOW TO THINK AND SPEAK POSITIVELY:
Simply telling yourself positive things about yourself and your abilities can improve your self-esteem. You can even look in the mirror and tell yourself positive things. It can really help, especially when you don’t have many supportive people around you. What can you do with these kinds of people? Well, one solution is not to people who bring you down and are not positive.
Another helpful tip about being positive is to be kind to yourself. You can be your own best friend, and this will also help you feel more positive. If you find yourself saying things to yourself that are negative, try changing those words to positive ones. Be your own breath and be good to yourself.
If you do these things, you can overcome any fear of change you have. Although it may be difficult for you, you CAN overcome your fears and go back to school if you really want to. Be brave and try it. You may find you like it!
And then you can say, I did it!
KNOW MORE:
Here are a couple of websites that I like and are helpful in improving self-esteem and courage:
A Self Esteem Questionnaire.
The Steve Pavlina Site (This website features Steve’s podcasts, which cover many personal development topics.)
Good luck overcoming your fear and increasing your self-esteem! And best of luck on your educational journey.